They struggled on Sunday against a side who play in the National Premier Division, a league below the Reds, and could have lost the game in the second half.

Katrin Omarsdottir scored the winner with three minutes to go and Reds skipper Bonner believes her team prepared for the game in the right way.

"I don't think we approached the game any different," Bonner continued. "Sunderland are a great side and are used to winning games.

"So all credit to them, they gave us a test. We needed to stand up and be counted and we stuck at it and we came away with the result."

Liverpool's marquee close-season signing, England midfielder Fara Williams, admits her team could not find their feet in the north east but says they are on the right track.

"In the game against Sunderland we should have been 3-0 or 4-0 up at half time and it nearly cost us in the end," said the 29-year-old. "If you look at periods of play and patches of play in the game - we're certainly coming together."

The BBC is showing the FAWSL for the first time this season, with four highlights programmes, as well as live coverage coverage of Euro 2013 this summer. The BBC Sport website will also keep you up-to-date with all the latest news and scores.